Disability Insurance Reviews

Sun Life Disability Insurance Reviews

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(57 reviews)
Sun Life
1.1 out of 5 stars:
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For employers, not employees

by vrtameshrew47 on Oct 25, 2016
1 out of 5 stars

I'm currently on short-term disability: this company is a nightmare. I had cancer and a subsequent mastectomy; recently had to undergo another very complex surgery that took four times longer than the previous. From the time I woke up in the hospital, Sun Life harassed me with requirements (I was literally all cut up in bed on the phone with them) trying to force me to go back to work early. I had to make phone calls (hard to hold a phone when you're all cut up) and drive to the hospital weeks before my doctor said I should trying to find/get doctors to make repeated phone calls to the Sun Life rep--had to make duplicate doctor appointments to met insurance req--I've been through a couple companies since I've been ill and Sun Life is the worst--my incisions reopened in my abdomen because of them--working on getting better--employers are the only entities that benefit. If you can: STAY AWAY.

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Disability Insurance

by Prigel13 on Jan 12, 2016
1 out of 5 stars

This company is the worst to deal with. I pay for coverage through my employer for short-term disability. I had carpal tunnel surgery in September and am still unable to return to work. My surgeon filled out the paperwork stating no use of the right hand. Not sure what more they need. There is a very high chance of another surgery to try to correct the problem. Now more paperwork needs to be filled out by the doctor. What a run around. They say they will return your call within 24 hours. Another crock. It took my member of parliament calling them for the call to be returned. I have not been denied yet but looks like it is going to go that way. I am trying to find out if there is a way to opt out of paying for this as when it is needed, they don't pay. I have never claimed been unable to work until now. I am not asking to be off for the rest of my life. Just until they fix the problem. I would rather donate my payments. Why should I have to pay for something I can never use? This company is a joke. I realize that they make money by not paying out however it is crooked to take money from people if they can never utilize the services that are supposed to be provided that you pay for. Will be talking to my union to see what steps to take to remove this payment from my pay and put it to anywhere but these crooks

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STD DENIAL WHILE PREGNANT

by MadMomma on Sep 11, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

If you are looking for short term disability coverage, do yourself a favour and look elsewhere. I have submitted medical evidence from my family doctor, my OB as well as my physiotherapist all stating that I cannot work let alone sit/stand for any longer than 10 minutes. Doctors notes, Supplemental forms and chart notes from each and this is STILL not good enough. They take weeks upon weeks just to look at your file, then they request more evidence, then deny you. Customer service is beyond terrible IF you can even get through to your case worker. The only reason I rated them a 1 is because I cant select zero.

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Digusted with Lack of Service

by Civil Servant on Sep 6, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

I am a Civil Servant with a group policy through Sun Life. I was involved in a high speed MVA (no fault of my own deemed by ICBC) by a driver under the influence who fled the scene. I have a RCMP file number and a lawyer looking into my case.

My injuries are severe including a concussion with very slow progress. I applied in April and my claim was denied in August even though final tests results were not sent to my doctor yet. I have appealed with new information from 2 medical professionals stating my incapacity and I am unable to perform my duties. It has taken until end of June before I even heard back from a Sun Life rep. only because I placed a phone call.

My claim has passed through multiple agents including one of the first agents recording of "this will be approved." The agent has now mysteriously disappeared and my claim has passed through the hands of 4 other agents with another agent being removed from my file and then another agent denying my claim.

I have contacted a manager and will be moving forward to contacting her Director and will keep going upwards including the media in this and involving ministers in this matter.

I have been a civil serv. for over 30 years and have been fortunate enough to never have to utilize the services of Sun Life. I also have a disability which I have managed through the help of my physicians and myself that is not related to this incident. I cannot believe the lack of service and empathy on Sun Lifes part and I am very disgusted with how they handle claims.

I have used all sick benebits available and now have no income. I have now been told it can take 30 days for the appeal process. I have placed a urgent call to this "new" agent and I am waiting to hear back.

If anyone out there is considering a health policy I suggest you may want to look else where than with them. I would not want anyone to have to go through the horrible stress that I am going through with this company. I had no choice to use them as that is who the Federal Government uses.

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Disgusting! Disgrace!

by csjray on Aug 10, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

Denied my LTD based on ONE sentence in my 1,000 page medical record, and the sentence the chose was used COMPLETELY out of context. They manipulate the information you give them (IF they admit that they received it). My "agent" had ZERO personality and was WRETCHED to deal with.

Ultimately had to hire an attorney to get the monies owed to me. During holidays they don't plan ahead and send checks early. Oh no no! They just allow payments to be late and then blame it on the "holiday delay". Awful!! They should be forced out of business!

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Worst company ever

by DMWM on Jul 30, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

The only reason I gave them a 1 is because I can't give them ZERO. It is going on two months since my claim was made to this company. They have done nothing but give me the run around. You send the info they request for them to say yes it's received and being reviewed. You don't hear back from them and you are then told oh no. We never received the info. This is needed to review your claim. I have been dealing with this for almost 2 months after severe injuries sustained in a head on collision. I know have had to involve a lawyer to assist me in getting my claim resolved. This has not only drained me emotionally, but my family. It is hard enough recovering from injuries without having to deal with a company who is not interested in resolving your claim. This has been a nightmare. I never would recommend this company for any insurance purposes.

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Problematic Company Culture

by Louis_Karl on Jul 14, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

I have been dealing with this insurance company through my own company and I have to say that their company culture is highly problematic. I went on long-term disability and I had issues regarding both drugs and disability.

Now, while complaints and issues happen with all insurances, the problem with Sun Life Financial is the way they do things. Not only do they seem to attract incompetent people ( 3/3 never returned calls/ e-mails over the course of weeks), they won't let you change whoever is assigned to your case, effectively stonewalling you in case things go bad.

For example, I was refused to be insured for a drug because it had the wrong code (never mind the fact that it was a refill of a drug that had been insured the other time). When I escalated this situation to the supervisor, I was told they would find the right code with the pharmacy. 6 weeks, 5 calls later, that supervisor, Mrs. X, is absolutely unreachable. Worst, whenever I called to ask to get in touch with Mrs. X's colleague or boss through the customer service, I was told it would be done before being transferred to Mrs. X's voicemail.

In the end, Mrs.X seemed to not appreciate my behavior of searching for a resolution as she called back and said there was nothing to do.

I've written enough for a review, but I have a similar experience with the disability department, letting me know that it's a company wide problem, not just a single person problem.

Word of advice: Avoid like the plague.

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GO ELSEWHERE!!! 0 rating

by honestreview on Jun 28, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

Please consider this your warning that if your employer provides you disability benefits from this company. Make sure you get other benefits elsewhere! I became disabled at no fault of my own and this company denied my long-term disability benefits. I fought to get benefits, was approved, to only be denied months later. This company is the scum of the earth and for those people who are unfortunate enough to need these benefits just be warned that they will not pay out those benefits to you when you need them. I hope one day that this company gets what's coming to it. Karma will haunt you Sun Life. For all those who are affected by their mistreatment, know that you are not alone.

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Shady practice!

by angrymama on May 9, 2017
1 out of 5 stars

LTD benefits were offered through my employer. I almost DIED and Sun Life DENIED the benefits that were part of my benefit package through my employer. They used ONE sentence in ONE medical record that indicated my condition was "improving" (ie, no longer DYING) and they denied me based on that.

My "customer service representative" was a poor excuse for a human being and should be ashamed of herself for treating other human beings like that!

Ended up having to get an attorney to get what I was owed, and they still SUCK! If there is a holiday, they don't prepare in advance and get the checks cut early! Oh no, they wait until AFTER the holidays and just send your check LATE!

They should be shut down!

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Screw up

by YouWillPayUP on Jun 28, 2019
1 out of 5 stars

In 2016, I applied and was approved for Disability Insurance through my Scotia Bank Mortgage account. In 2018, the doctor put me on Disability Leave. When I went to access my Disability Insurance for my mortgage, I was notified that they made an error and ticked off Chronic Insurance instead of Disability Insurance. They assured me that the correction would be made. Months later, instead of correcting the error, they paid me out what I had paid towards the Chronic Insurance and basically refused to help me! I contacted the Office of the President of Nova-Scotia Bank to complain. They investigated the matter but it took months. Finally, I told the Office of the President that I would go see a lawyer and within a week, SunLife acknowledged their mistake and paid me out a portion. Now my Mortgage is in foreclosure due to receiving their payment too little too late, and they didn't even pay the hardship or the financial burden that they caused. Two thumbs down to them!

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